Lamp to illuminate the keyboard and music rack of organs



Jan. 20, 1953 w. L. CALDWELL ET AL LAMP TO ILLUMINATE THE KEYBOARD AND MUSIC RACK OF ORGANS Filed Jan 29 1952 s mu N m mm M w mm W m a LNGM R E E T W & AM W 5 H Y, 2 w

Patented Jan. 20, 1953 LAMP TO ILLUMINATE THE KEYBOARD AND MUSIC BACK OF ORGAN S Walter L. Caldwell and Samuel G. Bowman, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application January 29, 1952, Serial No. 268,806

2 Claims.

Our invention relates to the illumination of the keyboard and stops of an organ console, as well as the music supported on the usual rack of the console, and consists in an illuminating device embodying certain new and useful improvements, whereby, in accordance with the aims of the invention, eificiency in service is obtained in largest measure. It is further an aim to provide an illuminating device which may be mounted upon a music rack, without interfering with the swinging of the rack between upright position and horizontal position, the latter position permitting the console to be closed over the keyboard.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application 81,145, filed April 2, 1949, now abandoned.

The invention will be understood upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of an illuminating device of the invention in service position upon an organ console;

Fig. 2 is a view comparable with Fig. 1, showing the music rack swung downward into position over the keyboard, with the illuminating device appropriately adjusted on the rack;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, showing the rack and illuminating device to larger scale; and

Fig. 4 is a view of the illuminating device in plan, with the body of the device medially discontinued, to permit a showing on as large scale as may be.

The device of the invention consists, as the drawing shows, in an elongate body having a substantially vertical back portion 2 hinged, at 3, to a horizontal basal portion 4. The device is designed to be mounted at the lower edge of the music rack 5 of the conventional organ console C. The rack 5 is hinged at its lower edge, as at 6, to the body of the console immediately above the keyboard K.

The basal portion 4 of the device comprises a body 'l-in this case formed of wood-sheathed with sheet aluminum 8, save at the top of the body where the sheath consists in a web of corrugated rubber 9. The web of corrugated rubber 9 provides an excellent support for the lower edges of the sheets or books of music positioned on the rack 5 for the player to read. The sheet 8 is secured by screws ID to the internal body I of the device, while the web 9 may be secured by cement.

The body I is fashioned to provide within the sheath 8, 9 an elongate recess 1 l, in which recess a fluorescent lamp I2 is supported by and between terminal brackets 13 and M. The body 1 is.

channeled, as at I 5, to receive electric circuit wires 25 leading to the terminal brackets l3 and I4, and at the right-hand end (Fig. 4) of the structure the body 1 is further recessed, as at 16, to receive an electric switch H, which is secured to the adjacent end wall of the sheath, with its toggle arm 18 exposed for manipulation externally of the structure. Externally of thestructure the circuit wires, contained in a common flexible tube 35 of rubber or the like, will be understood to extend so far as may be required to make conventional connection, say by means of a plug and socket (not shown) to a source of electric power. By throwing the arm I8 between on and off positions, the lamp 12 may be lit and shut-off, as desired.

Referring to Fig. 3 particularly, it will be noted that the sheath 8 above and below the lamp l2 includes slots I9 and20, respectively. The light generated by the lamp is directed upwardly through slot 19 to illuminate the sheets of music positioned upon the base 4 and rack 5, while the light of the lamp is simultaneously directed downwardly through slot 20 to illuminate the keyboard K.

A feature of the invention is found in the means for mounting the illuminating device upon the console C. More particularly, the back portion 2 of the device, to which the basal portion 4 is hinged, is constructed in the form of an elongate metal loop having a lining 2| of felt. This loop is slipped over the top edge of the rack 5, and then the device is lowered until the bottom of the inner edge of the portion 4 bears upon the edge of the console above the keyboard, as indicated at B in Fig. 3. Thus, a firm attachment of the illuminating device to the rack 5 is obtained, and the basal portion of the device is rigidly sustained in rigid position overhanging the keyboard, efficiently to perform its intended functions.

When it becomes desirable to close the console. the rack 5 is swung on its hinge 6 into horizontal position. In order to permit this, however, the illuminating device must be removed from the position of service in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 3, since otherwise the body of the device would interfere with the movement of the rack on its said hinge. A consideration of Fig. 3 will make clear such fact. By virtue of the structure of our present invention, no problem is encountered, since the engagement of the illuminating device with the organ console admits of the movement of the device into a position where it is out of the Way, permitting the rack to be swung into horizontal position, while still maintaining the device in engagement with the rack.

It will be perceived that the engagement of the illuminating device with the organ console is a sliding engagement, found in the telescopic union of the portion 2 of the device withthe rack. To-

permit the swing of the rack on itshinge it is merely necessary to slide the device upward upon the body of the rack and then to swing the rack.

downwardly into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2. Thus, the rack overhangsjthe' key'-- board, and the illuminating device is sustainedby the rack, with its basal portion- 4 foldediupwardly against the body of portion 2. sequence of such adjustment of the parts the usual hood or cover of the console maybeclosed, as will be readily understood by those skilledin the art.

WhBILCOIlSOlG is reopened preparatory toplaying..the organ the rack 5. is returned to upright position. and, illuminating device is readily slid downward upontherackand restored to theservice. positionin which it'is shown in. Figs. lfand3.

Several modifications of'the structure described willoccur tothose skilled in theart, and certain variations may. be made,.w-ithout departing from the. spirit ofthe inventiomdefine'd. in the followmg claims.

we claim:

1. Anilluminati'ngdevice for an organ having a console, akeyboard', anda music rack above the keyboardhinged to the console to swinggbetween uprightandhorizontal.positions, said device comprising an elongate, relatively narrow, music-' supporting basal portion including an. elongate electric lamp,. said basal portion having slots opening, severally, above andbelow saidlamp, and averticalrportiorr to the. lower. edge of which said basal." portion. isrsecured. said. vertical portion In conbeing formed as a loop telescopically engaging said music rack and arranged when said rack is upright to secure the device with its said basal portion overhanging said keyboard in position for said lamp to direct light through said slots upon music supported on the rack above and upon the keyboard below, said devicebeing; vertically adjustable. in its telescopic: engagement with said rack, to permit said rack to be swung on its hinge into horizontal position over the keyboard while retaining the device in engagement with the rack:

2. An'illuminating device for an organ having a console, a: keyboard, and a music rack above the keyboard hinged to the console to swing between upright and horizontal positions, said device comprisingan elongate, relatively narrow, musicrsupporting basal portion including an elongate electric lamp, said basal portion having slots-opening: severally aboveand below said lamp,. and-a,-vertical.portion.tothe lower. edge of. which s-aid basal portion is. hinged, said. vertical portion being formed as. a. loop,v adapted telescopically to engage. said. music. rack. in. upright position for securing thedevice with its said basal portion overhanging. said keyboard in musicsupporting position. in whichsaid lamp directs. light throughsaid slotsupon music on the rack. aboveand upon the keyboardbelow, said device being vertically adjustable. in. its telescopic en gagement withs-aid rack, to permit said rack to: be swung. on itsv hinge into horizontal position over the keyboard While retaining. the. device in engagement with the rack and thebasal. portion of the device swung on it's hinge upwardly again saidloop.

WALTER L.. CALDWELL. SAMUELG; BOWMAN.

No references. cited; 

